Red Bull Flugtag Portland

Off all the competitions for poorly performing human powered flying machines, the Red Bull Flugtag is one of our favorites. Honestly, it’s the only one we can think of, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less enthusiastic about giving flight to half baked ideas. Today was the Portland round of the international event. Teams have to submit an application for their craft in advance. The vehicle can have a maximum wingspan of 30 feet and a weight with pilot of 450 pounds or less. Power is from muscle or simply gravity. The vehicle also has to be easily retreivable so they can get it out of the water. Judging isn’t just for distance, but for creativity, too.

I was at the portland flugtag, and most teams did put a glider on top of their plummeting crafts. (it usually didn’t help that much) Part of the distance rule has to do with where the pilot’s bum lands, not the rest of the craft.

I must say, the best ones were the most poorly designed ones (as far as aeronautics is concerned) whose wings were more for show than flight.

I was there, the best part was looking at the contraptions up close. Unfortunately, we opted to leave our excellent spots for cheaper, better food several blocks away from the river and could barely see until we climbed into trees.I really would love to see what a real aeronautical engineer could come up with for something like this